At 1-6, the New Orleans Saints aren't going anywhere this season. This is not a good football team and that means that, in all likelihood, they'll be sellers at the trade deadline, unless Russell Wilson is on the table...
Well, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN linked the Saints as a potential buyers, listing them as a possible landing spot for Giants quarterback Wilson. Fowler discussed how former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston could easily be the backup to rookie Jaxson Dart in New York, making Wilson expendable.
"Trading Wilson would be a challenge because of the scarcity of available starting QB jobs. The Bengals had a clear opening two weeks ago but opted for Joe Flacco. The Giants could slide Jameis Winston into the No. 2 quarterback spot if they aggressively pursue a trade of Wilson. At this stage of Wilson's career, compensation would not be steep. His days as a productive starter appear to be over. He has a trade-friendly base salary of $2 million."
Linking New Orleans as a possible destination for Wilson definitely made Saints fans raise their eyebrows because in what world does trading for Wilson make sense for this team right now? A few years ago, sure, but now? No.
Saints trading for Russell Wilson would make absolutely zero sense
The Saints have Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough on their roster and right now and are giving Rattler the chance to show he can be the franchise quarterback for this team. If he can't show them signs of being able to do that, then Shough will get the chance to do so. Wilson, at this stage in his career, is not going to be the future for this team, so why would they even entertain this trade?
Well, even though Fowler listed the Saints as a possible suitor for Wilson, he also put the odds of Wilson being traded at a mere 10%. This would indicate that the Giants are going to keep Wilson around and not send him to another team.
We'll see what the Saints have in Rattler as the season progresses and, if Kellen Moore decides it's time to move on and let Shough take the reins, then we'll see what he can do. But bringing in a washed up quarterback simply to be a veteran presence for two young guys doesn't make sense for this team at this point of the season. Plus, the Saints need to be acquiring draft picks, not sending them away.
Fortunately, it appears this trade won't be seeing the light of day and Saints fans can exhale at that knowledge.